About

TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Since our first exploratory meeting in 1999 and formation as a group in 2000, Friends of Chestnuts have successfully campaigned for many improvements to this park, and have organised lots of great events, just a few of which are listed below. Having successfully campaigned for the demolition of the derelict pavilion building in the centre of the park, in 2014 we’re currently fundraising and bid writing for a Willow Garden area to be created once the pavilion is demolished. (Click on the event title below for a gallery of pictures from some of our events. If you have pictures from our past events, do let us know and we can post them here)

1999 Sept First exploratory meeting to find out if local people are in setting up a Friends of Chestnuts. (The new cafe in former toilet block was also opened in this year)2000 March “Planning for Real” and planting events2000 Nov Celebration party for 100 years as a park
Drainage works to main field, planting and painting events2001 Nov Festival of Light and installation of wooden horse2002 New tennis courts installed2004 May Spring Festival2005 May Spring FestivalAug Free sports trainingNov Festival of Light and firework display2006 Formation of new Chestnuts Park Strategic
Partners User group2008 Launch party for new playground, café terrace, Multi Use games area (MUGA), paths. First Green Flag awarded and Management plan agreed.2009 Successful fundraising for new sensory/music playground2010 New music/sensory playground installed2011 Hedge planting along St Ann’s Rd2012 March “Bug time” eventJune Alternative Olympics “Spoil sports”Sept Community Green event with GRA2012 Opening up of new Cornwall Rd path completes Phase 1 of Masterplan2013 June Consultation and sports eventAug Award of Fields in Trust statusOct Consultation, Big Draw Event30 Nov Meeting in café to view film of consultation event and discuss which new facilities to bid for2014 26 Jan Launch event for new website and Phase 2 of the Masterplan

2014 Nov Work starts on the demolition of the derelict pavilion building in the centre of the park

2018 – lots has happened in the past five years, to be updated soon For more details see our Facebook page